This Total War: ATTILA tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Builds Rankings
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Western Roman Empire | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Eastern Roman Empire | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Sassanid Empire | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Huns | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Visigoths | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Western Roman Empire (A-Tier)
Western Roman Empire is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Legio Comitatenses. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Eastern Roman Empire (A-Tier)
Eastern Roman Empire is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Limitanei. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Sassanid Empire (A-Tier)
Sassanid Empire is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Plumbatarii. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Huns (A-Tier)
Huns is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Scholae Palatinae. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Visigoths (A-Tier)
Visigoths is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Carriage Ballistae. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legio Comitatenses | Roman line infantry in any pitched battle where you need the centre to hold | The Late Roman field army infantry and the backbone of both Roman rosters. |
| Limitanei | Garrison duty and public order in provinces that do not warrant a field army | The frontier troops who historically controlled the border and acted as an early warning system against incursions. |
| Plumbatarii | Breaking up an enemy charge before it reaches your line | Legionaries carrying the plumbata, an iron dart that out-ranges the older pilum at the cost of penetrating power. |
| Scholae Palatinae | Flanking charges and killing enemy generals once the lines are engaged | The super heavy cavalry of the Western roster and the elite of the army. |
| Carriage Ballistae | Field battles against dense infantry formations, and defending walls in a siege | Mobile bolt throwing artillery available to the Roman rosters. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Legio Comitatenses: The Late Roman field army infantry and the backbone of both Roman rosters. Comitatenses were the mobile strategic reserve of the period rather than border troops, and in game they hold a line against Germanic infantry that cheaper units simply cannot.
Limitanei: The frontier troops who historically controlled the border and acted as an early warning system against incursions. They are cheap, they are not good, and that combination makes them the correct garrison unit for provinces you intend to keep but cannot afford to defend properly.
Plumbatarii: Legionaries carrying the plumbata, an iron dart that out-ranges the older pilum at the cost of penetrating power. In practice they soften an approaching shield wall before contact, which matters against Germanic infantry that wins prolonged melee.
Scholae Palatinae: The super heavy cavalry of the Western roster and the elite of the army. Expensive, few in number, and decisive when committed against an exposed flank or a general's bodyguard rather than sent into the front of a spear formation.
Carriage Ballistae: Mobile bolt throwing artillery available to the Roman rosters. Against the massed infantry that Germanic and Hunnic armies field, bolt artillery firing into a packed formation does far more work than the unit count suggests, and it redeploys faster than static siege engines.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Total War: ATTILA centers on Razing, sacking and occupying settlements and The migration and horde mechanic. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Western Roman Empire with Legio Comitatenses is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Climate cooling and fertility builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Sassanid Empire remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Eastern Roman Empire is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Plumbatarii offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Visigoths builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Western Roman Empire | Legio Comitatenses | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Eastern Roman Empire | Limitanei | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Sassanid Empire | Plumbatarii | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Huns | Scholae Palatinae | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Visigoths | Carriage Ballistae | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Total War: ATTILA Guides
- Total War: ATTILA Total War: ATTILA Overview
- Total War: ATTILA Best Builds
- Total War: ATTILA Walkthrough
- Total War: ATTILA Beginner's Guide
- Total War: ATTILA Tips & Tricks
- Total War: ATTILA Weapons Guide
- Total War: ATTILA Combat Guide
- Total War: ATTILA Boss Guide
- Total War: ATTILA Maps & Locations
- Total War: ATTILA Crafting Guide
- Total War: ATTILA Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Total War: ATTILA, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Tier List: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Tier List: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Tier List: strategy game with similar mechanics
